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Art in the Twenty-First Century

Fantasy (#502)

This episode presents artists whose works defy convention and transport us to unreal worlds and altered states of consciousness. With works at times hallucinatory, irreverent, and sublime, each of these artists pursues a vision first held in the mind’s eye. [56 minutes]

This episode has not aired in the past few months on Iowa Public Television.

Series Description: This series focuses on contemporary visual art and artists in the United States. Each episode profiles three to four artists. In short segments, featured artists speak directly to the audience in their own words, reflecting on their lives, sources of inspiration, and working processes. Profiled artists include painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers, installation and video artists, as well as artists working with new media, environmental or public issues, and hybrid forms. Filmed in their studios, homes, and exhibition spaces, these artists demonstrate the full breadth of artistic practice across the country and reveal the depth of inter-generational and multicultural talent.

All Episodes

With an introduction and video art by Laurie Anderson, this episode considers the influence of place -- physical, conceptual or psychological; regional, national or transnational -- on such artists as Richard Serra, Sally Mann, Barry McGee and Margaret Kilgallen, and Pep?n Osorio. [85 minutes]

This hour addresses the continuing examination of the spiritual in art and life. James Turrell's works are investigated as they relate to and depart from his Quaker heritage, and through the idea of light as a metaphor for the spiritual. Ann Hamilton's installations, which often feature a solitary figure attending to a task, evoke not only a sense of mortality and quiet meditation, but also awe. The labor-intensive miniature paintings of Shahzia Sikander combine figurative and abstract elements from both the Muslim and Hindu faiths. And the books, sculptures and installations of John Feodorov whimsically examine New Age assumptions about Native-American spirituality. [56 minutes]

"Identity"-- With an introduction created by Steve Martin and William Wegman, this episode examines how artists confront the questions "Who am I?" and "Who are we?" in a pluralistic, multicultural world, and features artists Kerry James Marshall, Louise Bougeois, Bruce Nauman and Maya Lin. "Consumption"-- With an introduction by John McEnroe in a video created by Barbara Kruger, the final episode turns its eye on the influences a consumerist society and pop culture exert on contemporary art and vice-versa. Featured artist include Andrea Zittel, Michael Ray Charles, Matthew Barney and Mel Chin.
[85 minutes]

From politics to mass media, the theme of power pervades daily life. The artists in this program -- Cai Guo-Qiang, Laylah Ali, Krzysztof Wodiczko and Ida Applebroog -- negotiate personal and cultural histories, re-imagine social space and challenge authority, oppression and control. David Alan Grier hosts. [56 minutes]

How does memory function? Who creates history? Whether commemorative, critical or irreverent, the artists in episode two -- Susan Rothenberg, Mike Kelley, Hiroshi Sugimoto and Josiah McElheny --delve into the past, transforming it and remaking it in their work. Isabella Rossellini hosts. [56 minutes]

How do we organize life? What are the ways in which we capture knowledge and attempt greater understanding? The artists in this episode -- Mathew Ritchie, Fred Wilson, Richard Tuttle and Roni Horn -- create systems, shift contexts and engage with perception, utilizing unconventional devices. Sam Waterston hosts. [56 minutes]

This episode presents artists whose works defy convention and transport us to unreal worlds and altered states of consciousness. With works at times hallucinatory, irreverent, and sublime, each of these artists pursues a vision first held in the mind’s eye. [56 minutes]

Whether observing and satirizing society or reinventing icons of literature, art history, and popular culture, these artists inhabit the characters they create and capture the sensibilities of our age. [56 minutes]